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OK, that's slightly worrying, given GWR's previous behaviour! I'm more tempted to involve my MP in that case as there's nothing really to stop GWR doing the same thing to anyone taking that journey and, as noted above:

Yes, I think I've had enough of it at this point. Something I would like to ask, though, is what's the best course of action should this happen again. If I get as far as Patchway without being given the opportunity to buy a ticket, and I then run into an inspector who, rather than selling me a...

All I had was basically "I trust that this outcome is acceptable to you". I've phoned them and it's rung off. Again. I was tempted to go along on the day to make sure but didn't have the time off work to spend in any case.

A "final update" on this... A week before the case was due to be heard, I emailed GWR Prosecutions again, asking them for evidence of intent to avoid payment, reiterating my scepticism that this evidence didn't exist, and asking that they drop the case if it didn't. On the morning of the...

Severnside Rail were very helpful - I had an email back from their chairman - but they don't have the capabilities to help with this. They've forwarded it on to Transport Focus who hopefully do.

The case is on the 25th of September in Bristol. I'm hoping that it can be dealt with before that, as I don't want to have to take time off work to attend, but I would of course be very grateful for any help. I've tried phoning the magistrates court but without success (it rings off). I'll...

Thanks for the replies. I'll ask for some legal advice straight off since I've had a court summons. I find it remarkable that GWR have chosen to take this to court, given the circumstances. I presume that they think they have proof of intent to avoid payment, but I can't see where that would...

Thanks. Last week I received a letter from Bristol Magistrates Court along the following lines: I've had nothing from GWR - in fact nothing from anyone relating to this since the 19th of March (see post #47), so I can only assume that GWR have gone ahead with a prosecution attempt without...

No, it didn't, and I suspect you're right. If I hear from them again after the 22nd, I may well do that.

Thanks, although my main concern is, as you say, to stop them threatening me with prosecution. However, the fact that this is a public forum and I've effectively been publishing their incompetence online is not lost on me. Unfortunately it begs the question of how far I have to get in this...

Here is GWR's reply: This reply makes hardly any reference to the legal matter, and I wonder whether I'm dealing with administrators who, firstly, don't have a good knowledge of the law - which is in itself is remarkable since they're a part of the Prosecutions Unit - and secondly, are assuming...

I would have done, but I've emailed the response, and in any case I haven't written a cheque for so long that I'm not even sure where my chequebook is. I did try paying the £5 online, but was only given the option to pay the full £84.40 settlement.

Patchway, like Bedminster, doesn't have any ticket buying facilities. I think this is reflected on GWR's website in that they're greyed out on the list (which seems slightly misleading anyway).

Thanks, I appreciate your time on that. I'll send it across and let you know what happens. It's good to know that I have a good case legally. It has been tempting to pay the £80 to make this go away, and I suspect many people do just that.

This is the letter I received: And this is the further correspondence:

Yes, it was. I've only had one letter, and the rest of the correspondence has been via email.

Both of those actually, with an "and/or" between them. I'll see if I can upload the letter, but might have to do it at home tonight. I can copy the emails in if it'd still be useful without the context of the letter.

Sorry, meant BRI to PWY leaves at 7:53.

Yes, there are no ticket facilities at Bedminster. The change is typically less than ten minutes - I think BMT to BRI is due in at 7:42, but typically arrives at around 7:44, and BMT to PWY leaves at 7:53. I provided the inspector at Patchway with all of the correct details.

My usual trip into work is from Bedminster station to Patchway station, neither of which has barriers or ticket machines. I therefore usually buy a return ticket from the conductor on board the train, or on occasion at Patchway when there's anyone there to check or sell tickets. One Monday...